This doesn't look right, I need help (please look)

[Dianna]

Thanks so much for your responses folks It really means a lot to me!

I'm going to give myself a couple more days to calm down about the situation before I call the vet that did harm to my snake. The last thing I want is to get on the phone with them and become emotional, or start screaming.

I've decided I'm going to request a refund for the probing (50$, which I realize is *extremely* expensive for a probing) and I'm also going to request that they pay for his antibiotic, which was 30$. Though I had to pay 70$ for an emergency visit with my new vet (plus the cost of the meds), I don't think I'm going to try to push my luck.

I'm also going to mail them the photos of my snake's infected vent, and request that they show it to the vet that caused the damage. I feel it is important for her to know what her inexperience has caused. Hopefully in the future she will be able to admit when she is in over her head. There is no shame in admitting you might need help from a more experienced vet. Doctors recommend their patients to "specialists" all the time, vets should be held to the similar standards.

The bottom line, is that this situation is not about money (though I feel my wallet was definitely taken advantage of) the important part is that they harmed my snake, and could potentially continue to do the same to other animals. Sure my wallet has suffered, but my snake has suffered more.

[itskrystle]

Have you considered going back to the original vets office with the pictures and second vet bill in hand? I think it may be a little harder for the vet to deny you a refund if you are there in person ready to show her your proof. It may be harder to maintain your composure and not be emotional but you may have a better chance of getting a refund. Just a suggestion. I hope your snake is healing and am so glad to hear you've found a vet you can trust. Good luck!

[CA cowgirl]

$50.00 for a probing??? Wow.

Follow your vets instructions and an added safety measure would be to rub a tiny bit of bacitracin on the area once or twice a day.

Sometimes a breeding male can get a red and irritated vent. This always clears it right up for me.

$50 is nuts for probing. Maybe I just have a generous vet, but when I took in 5 of my hatchling ball pythons to be examined for a respiratory infection, he probed all of them at no extra cost.

Regarding using bacitracin, while Foschi has good intentions and is telling his/her honest experience, I don't take medical treatment advice as the solid truth unless I confirm it with my doctor or veterinarian. And I mean no harm to Foschi. But you might want to check with your vet before doing any extra measures. Also, I believe I learned Baytril can leave scars. Did the vet's office do any "lactated ringers" or something like that so that the med isn't concentrated?

I would maybe use your pics and ask for a time to just speak with the vet in person.

Either way...good luck and good job on catching that.

Your best approach IMO is going to be to ask the new vet to type up and perhaps initial a note on the vet visit receipt that states the snake's ventral infection appears to be from trauma that could have occurred xx days prior. Or something close in description. And print the pictures. Then make a trip to the vet in person with receipt, vet signed note, pictures and ask to speak with the office manager or vet at the old office. If you approach it with respect and confidence, do not be wishy washy about what could have happened, nor be preaching like "you did this, you hurt my snake, you mean person..." because both approaches would allow the vet/manager to weasle out of it.

If that attempt doesn't work, you should file a claim with small claims for all costs incurred with both vets. I believe it shouldn't be more than about $40-60 and most likely the vet will then back down without a fight. Then I would post a respectful but honest feedback on a site like yelp.com or multiple sites. Everyone needs to learn, the only way you can get experience on probing is to probe snakes, but one can't do it without enough instruction and regular practice. It is better to admit that you don't know than to pretend you do and "wing it" with a live animal or person against their knowledge.

Best of luck and I'm glad that you have a good vet source and your animal is on the road to recovery.

[WingedWolfPsion]

I agree with everyone suggesting you ask the old vet to pay for the bills for treatment. I think you should ask for the emergency visit fee as well, though. All of these expenses occurred as a direct result of the first vet's incompetence and negligence. That vet had to be quite rough to cause that sort of trauma--and then on top of that, they did not realize, or did not attend to the fact that they had injured the snake, so took no measures to prevent the infection.

[BPelizabeth]

hey Dianna...how is your little guy doing? Is the area looking a little better?

[Dianna]

hey Dianna...how is your little guy doing? Is the area looking a little better?

He does appear to be feeling better already, thanks so much for asking! It is hard to tell because the infection is on the inside, but the area around the vent doesn't appear nearly as red as before. His "mood" seems to be much better. He does still act a little cranky but he isn't being aggressive like he was before.

His behaviour is almost back to normal, he came out of his hide to "greet" me when I got home from work today (he used to do this every day), and even met me at the top of his tank when it was time to take him out for his meds. He fights me pretty hard when its medicine time,which is to be expected, but I am persistent and gentile, so everything is going okay

[Dianna]

I believe I learned Baytril can leave scars. Did the vet's office do any "lactated ringers" or something like that so that the med isn't concentrated?

I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by "lactated ringers" Baytril could potentially leave scars in his mouth?? I'm really confused! It's a liquid, and he takes it orally, it's a really small amount per dosage. My vet taught me to measure it out with a needle-less syringe, and also taught me to make sure I get the syringe far past his wind pipe. He told me that he has used Baytril to treat many reptiles over the years.

If you could point me in the direction of where you found that info on Baytril, I would really appreciate it! The last thing I want is more medical issues with my poor BP.

[dr del]

Hi,

When injected baytril can cause scarring. I have never heard of any problems with an oral dose though.

But as always I am not a vet.

Crittervet made a good post on it recently - I will see if I can find a link for you.

Found it.


dr del

[Dianna]

Thanks very much Dr. Del, you're always so helpful

[Punkymom]

I'm so sorry to hear about your little guy! I'm glad he's getting to feeling better and I'm glad you posted this! I hope that this doesn't happen to anyone else's snakes! I cringe to think about how it must feel for him I will be asking my vet SO many more ?'s now!!!